Making the most of LinkedIn
There are now 414 millions users on LinkedIn making it the world’s largest professional network. So, if you’re thinking of changing jobs it’s a great tool to become familiar with.
Every time I thought about moving roles my first port of call was always LinkedIn. It’s an invaluable professional platform that can increase your network and may help you get a new job – so here are some tips on how to get the most out of it.
1. Settings
Before making any changes to your profile you may want to consider editing your settings so that your connections aren’t alerted to every change that you may make. Remember though, just before you do the last edit, to turn on the alert setting again. That way people will be notified that you have made a change and hopefully will click on your new updated profile.
2. Photo
I suggest that you use a professional photo. Using a good professional photo on your profile reputedly makes you 14 times more likely to be found on LinkedIn.
I’ve heard that some recruitment agencies won’t even click on your name if you don’t have a photo as they presume the profile is not current. So don’t be one of those people.
Whilst you are updating your LinkedIn photo it’s a good idea to double check your other social media channels and update if necessary.
2. Connections
Connect with as many relevant people as possible. You never know who they may be connected with and therefore potentially able to introduce you.
LinkedIn makes it easy to search for people by your current company or ex-colleagues, school and university. You can then see if there’s anyone you’d care to connect with on a professional basis.
3. Profile & Summary
I am going to be honest with you here, I used to copy and paste the content of my CV into my LinkedIn profile. It demonstrated my key achievements and responsibilities in a format that I was really happy with so I personally didn’t see the point of rewriting my experience.
If you have different material you can use that instead but remember you can edit the profile at any time so there’s no need to spend all day on it in the first instance.
4. Testimonials
This is one area that I haven’t fully embraced yet but it is on my action plan for April so I wanted to have it as a tip for you to action as well.
Draw up a list of possible people that you could ask to write a testimonial such as customers, clients, managers, and colleagues. Email them separately asking if they can write you a testimonial for your time at Xworkplace and offer to write them one in return. You may want to suggest a format for them to complete such as: How well you knew each other, what you helped them to achieve, what impact you had on them or their business and what’s better now as a result of the work you did.
8. Contact details
Your details will only be available to your connections but make sure it is up-to-date so people can contact you easily.
9. Education
Although it may be a long time since you left university it is worth updating these details and reconnecting with school and university friends who may be in companies that you would love to work for or vice versa.
I hope that you find these tips helpful. Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.